Screenings in Las Cruces, other Coronavirus updates

Posted Thursday, March 19, 2020 2:00 am

LATEST REGIONAL NUMBERS

New Mexico

2,797 people tested

35 positive (1.3%)

0 deaths

0 in Doña Ana County

Source: https://cv.nmhealth.org

Texas

2,335 people tested

143 positive (6.1%)

3 deaths

3 cases in El Paso County

Source: www.dshs,texas.gov

OTHER RECENT NEWS

• From the Internal Revenue Service: The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The IRS urges taxpayers who are owed a refund to file as quickly as possible. For those who can’t file by the April 15, 2020, deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return.

Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals. For more information, contact your accountant or visit www.irs.gov

• The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily suspended entrance fees on public lands across America. These include locations near Las Cruces, such as Dripping Springs, Aguirre Spring Campground. To look at BLM lands in New Mexico, check here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/new-mexico

• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces has temporarily suspended the public celebration of Mass, including weddings. All parish events such as baptism and marriage preparation classes, group meetings, etc. are suspended. Funerals will be celebrated in a private manner with only the immediate family present (less than 10 people).

• Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a consumer safety advisory, warning New Mexican consumers of various scams related to the coronavirus outbreak. This advisory comes in the wake of many reports to the Office of the Attorney General of consumer price gouging and COVID-19 scams emerging in New Mexico. Any New Mexican that is suspicious of price gouging or scamming activity is urged to immediately file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General at nmag.gov.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The below information is current as of 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time, Thursday, March 19. The news regarding Coronavirus and responses is changing by the minute. We will work to update as needed.)

According to the Centers of Disease Control, www.cdc.gov, the national confirmed COVID-19 cases increased from 7,038 March 18, to 10,442 March 19. There have been 150 deaths.

In New Mexico, confirmed cases increased from 28 to 35, but still none confirmed south of Socorro County. In Texas, cases increased from 83 to 143, with a total of three confirmed in El Paso County. Information from Mexico is more difficult to track, but Ciudad Juarez has so far confirmed only one case.

Here are three symptoms the CDC says may appear 2-14 days after exposure to COVID-19: fever, cough, shortness of breath. Also considered at risk are people who have recently traveled from Europe (to include Italy), China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco and Portland.

Federal and state officials are urging individuals to seek testing only if symptoms are present. The goal is to lighten the load on an already overburdened healthcare facility system.

New Mexicans with health-related questions can call our coronavirus hotline at 855-600-3453. For non-health-related questions or concerns call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information.

SCREENINGS IN LAS CRUCES

• The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH)’s Public Health Division will be providing drive-thru COVID-19 coronavirus screening at the following two locations in Las Cruces:

Friday, March 20
Las Cruces Public Health Office parking lot
1170 N. Solano (corner of Solano and Spruce)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (or until supplies last)

Monday, March 23
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine parking lot
3501 Arrowhead Dr.
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or until supplies last)

It is critical to know before attending these screenings that those without symptoms of COVID-19 infection do not need testing for COVID-19. We are currently in allergy season, and having allergy symptoms such as sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose or throat is not an indication for testing.

Priority screening will be provided for the following:
· People experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 infection: fever, cough, or shortness of breath;
· People who have traveled from Europe (to include Italy), China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, and Portland.

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